Viasat Inc., a global leader in satellite communications, has launched the 2026 Viasat: Space for Good India Challenge the company’s global STEM initiative designed to inspire university students to develop sustainable space solutions that improve life on Earth.
Following a strong 2025 debut in India, this year’s program builds on that momentum—expanding opportunities while delivering measurable impact, including 93% of participants reporting increased awareness of space and telecommunications careers, a 53.45% rise in interest in space-related careers, and a 32.2% boost in confidence about future job prospects. As India’s space industry continues to accelerate, Viasat aims to be a strong part of this growth by supporting innovation and the next generation of talent.
Gautam Sharma, Managing Director, India at Viasat said, “The response to last year’s program in India exceeded our expectations, showcasing the incredible ingenuity and ambition of students across the country. With the return of Viasat: Space for Good in 2026, we are building on that strong foundation—expanding opportunities for students to explore bold ideas that can transform space technologies while addressing real-world challenges. By bringing together partners, expert judges, and industry voices, we are creating a platform that connects students with the broader space ecosystem. We are excited to see how this next cohort pushes the boundaries of innovation for India and beyond.”
Program Overview and Key Dates
The 2026 Viasat: Space for Good India Challenge is open to individual university students across India, with submissions and additional program information details available on the official platform:
The competition will unfold across three phases:
Phase 1 (Written Submission): June 8 – July 19, 2026
Phase 2 (3-Minute Digital Submission): August 3 – August 23, 2026
Phase 3 Opens (Finalist Presentations Preparation): September 7, 2026
Finals Week: October 24 – October 27, 2026
Final Presentations & Awards: October 27, 2026
From the initial pool, 30 students will advance to Phase 2, with six finalists ultimately selected to present their ideas to a panel of industry experts—each paired with a Viasat mentor to refine and strengthen their solutions ahead of the final presentation.
Driving Innovation Through a Rigorous Challenge
The Viasat: Space for Good challenge empowers participants to think about how space technology can improve life on Earth—exploring solutions across areas such as equitable and sustainable access to space, direct-to-device (D2D), Internet of Things (IoT), multi-orbit constellations, and disaster and humanitarian response.
Prizes and Recognition
Winners of the 2026 Viasat: Space for Good India Challenge will receive:
1st Place: ₹5,00,000
2nd Place: ₹3,75,000
3rd Place: ₹2,75,000
